Postgame Quotes: UCLA 92, Colorado 74
February 14, 2014 | Men's Basketball
“I am really pleased with our team. We had a good week of practice and started the game well. We made some shots early, but then we stopped attacking the basket. Then we couldn't get defensive stops to end the half. At halftime, we talked about energy and effort to get defensive stops and that's what we focused on in the second half. We out rebounded them by 10 and they are a great rebounding team. Our second half, I just thought was really good basketball. They are a really good team, a very difficult team to play. Hats off to our guys, they played hard tonight.
“The last couple of games we've played subpar first halves followed by really strong second halves. The guys are playing hard. I like the energy they provide. Tonight, we were sharp to start the game. Through the first six to seven minutes, we were really good but then we stopped attacking the basket.
“We're alone in second place in the conference and a couple of games out of first. We just have to continue to play well and get help. I don't think it's about worrying about our seed for the conference tournament, it's about our overall resume and winning as much as you can and improving as much as you can.”
UCLA guard Bryce Alford
“Jordan (Adams) really got me some open shots. When you make your first two, it makes it much better to make shots.”
on his performance at Colorado on Jan. 16
“It was my birthday weekend. I did not shoot the ball well. So it was really good to have my shot going tonight. I really credit my teammates. They kept the ball moving.”
UCLA guard Kyle Anderson
“It was about me relaxing tonight and taking care of the ball. When I do that I do a lot better job of not turning the ball over. We did a better job of sharing the ball in the second half. We have to bring out the same intensity like we did in the second half when the ball tips off. By this time of the year, we should be clicking on all cylinders.
“All five guys, even the guys off the bench have to focus. We have to focus on what the offense preaches, and that's passing the ball.”
UCLA senior forward Travis Wear
“We want to get a better conference seeding, so this was a big win for us. When we get our backs against the wall, we really try to focus and play lock-down defense.”
Colorado head coach Tad Boyle
“You let a team shoot 66 percent from the three and 62 percent from the field in the second half, you are not going to beat many teams unless you are ultra-efficient offensively. We were in the first half. We were ahead in the first half because we executed offensively and shot the ball well. In the second half, holy cow, the flood gates opened and what's disappointing is that people will see the final score and not understand how good a game it was for 37 minutes.
“Credit UCLA. They shot the ball extremely well. They are the highest scoring team in conference play. There wasn't a whole lot we could do about it.”
Colorado guard Askia Booker
“All of their threes were contested, but they were at home where they are most comfortable. It was just one of those nights. Kyle Anderson and Jordan Adams – those guys are really good with the ball in their hands. When Kyle got into the lane he kept dumping it off.
“UCLA made a lot more adjustments in the second half. I think we shot an all-time high this year for three pointers. We can't settle for that. We just can't keep taking them out of nowhere early in the shot clock. That is something we need to work on as well.”
